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Where does the word "madam" come from? It comes from Latin mea domina, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "madam" come from? It comes from Latin mea domina, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Madam’s story begins in Latin: mea domina meant “my lady.” 'domina', lady, feminine of 'dominus', lord. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ma dame. A polite address to a noblewoman. It reached English by 1200s as madam. 'Madame' was later borrowed again from modern French. Today, madam means a polite form of address for a woman.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient mea domina "my lady", 'domina', lady, feminine of 'dominus', lord.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval ma dame "my lady", a polite address to a noblewoman.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s madam "polite title", 'Madame' was later borrowed again from modern French.